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Originally Posted by Baron  I am one that promotes the bile acid test, I tell anyone who asks me for information about purchasing a yorkie to insist on that being done before they purchase one. Having experienced getting a puppy and finding out it had liver shunt, I know the heart break, and the expense of it. I also test every single puppy I have, even though the parents have already been tested, and have never had a problem. Even my tinies are tested before they are sold. None of my puppies leave my home until they are 3 months or older. I have never even had any of my puppies appear to be stressed after the test, and yes, I do fast them. I have found that if I make my vet appoint. the first thing in the morning there does not seem to be a problem. That way, they are fed about 7 in the evening, and are at the vet's by 8 am, then they are fed right after the blood draw. |
Here again, it comes down to personal choice. If you feel it necessary to test yours then that is a personal choice. There is too much controversy about how accurate the BAT tests are if done at 12 weeks. To suggest that breeders put all puppies at risk by doing a procedure that is not proven to be accurate or necessary to me is not right. I have been raising yorkies for nearly 12 years and I have not had one single puppy buyer EVER ask me if I test my dogs for anything. I do not believe that BAT's is what the average puppy buyer wants or expects. They want a healthy puppy and a health guarantee that the breeder will stand behind. Even with the health guarantee, the majority of people in my area just give a standard 48 hour guarantee for the people to take the puppy to the vet. If and when I go to buy another show prospect it will not matter to me if the breeder had ran BAT tests or not but I would expect the breeder to be honest about any health problems that may exist in her lines and I would expect a good health guarantee.